But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.Ephesians 2:4I find it pretty easy to love those closest to me. To love those who love me back. The profound kindness of God is that He loved and showed mercy to the unlovable. We were like prisoners in a jail who spit and scream. We...  Read More

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in whi...  Read More

I will exalt you, my God the King;I will praise your name for ever and ever.Every day I will praise youand extol your name for ever and ever.Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;his greatness no one can fathom.One generation commends your works to another;they tell of your mighty acts.They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—and I will meditate on your wonderful works.They tell o...  Read More

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.2 Thessalonians 1:3 I reckon we are pretty good at giving thanks for good things that happen to us. On Friday’s, when we sit down to family breakfast and talk about things we are thankful for, the first thing my kids tur...  Read More

Q. 9. What is the work of creation?A. The work of creation is, God’s making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good.Westminster Shorter CatechismBefore sexuality, gender and same sex marriage - the battleground was creation. For centuries it had been taken for granted that six days meant six days. That Genesis 1-3 was literal and so on. But from...  Read More

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:19-20We had a family friend growing up. He was a successful businessman. He had just built a really big house in Austinmer. He had a bun...  Read More

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?         Why are you so far from saving me,          so far from my cries of anguish?       My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,          by night, but I find no rest.Psalm 22:1-2Where do you go to in your darkest moments? For many people across history, they have turned to song. Long before headphones, nursery rhymes, hymns and national songs ...  Read More

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wr...  Read More

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.1 Corinthians 15:1-2There was a big swing we used to take our kids to. It was massive. A rope probably 20 metres high secured to a big gum bran...  Read More

15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.James 2:15-17One thing a lot of people are sick of these days are empty words. We’ve had enough of it from politicians ...  Read More

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.1 Thessalonians 5:16-18Many people spend a lot of time wrestling with ‘God’s will for their lives’. What does He want me to do? What job, who should I marry, where should I live etc. But the truth is, God’s will is relatively simple. It’s that we look to Him in all things, rejoicing, ...  Read More

Q. 8. How doth God execute his decrees?A. God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence.Westminster Shorter CatechismGoogle docs doesn’t like executeth… how sad. The Westminster Catechism was written by a bunch of very intelligent and godly men in the 17th century (1647). And yeah they use some big words and different words than common speech today. But more importantly, what d...  Read More